Minnesota High School Wins First Basketball Title Ever

After surviving two heart-stopping victories earlier in the week, the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots could finally breathe easy when it mattered most.

The fifth-seeded Patriots claimed their first boys basketball state championship on Saturday, March 28, 2026, defeating Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 64-33 at Williams Arena. The dominant performance capped a remarkable tournament run that included a three-point quarterfinal squeaker and an overtime semifinal thriller.

"We've had a lot of great teams come through HBC but it feels good that we're the ones to do it," said senior forward Jamin Metzger, who led all players with 22 points and 13 rebounds. His performance set the tone for a Patriots team that refused to let their championship dream slip away.

The game was essentially over by halftime. Hills-Beaver Creek built a commanding 32-9 lead as their stifling defense held the high-scoring Bulldogs to just 12.5 percent shooting in the first half.

Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, a team averaging nearly 80 points per game, started the game shooting 1-for-8 with five turnovers. They never found their rhythm against the Patriots' relentless pressure.

The Bulldogs showed heart in the second half, hitting their first seven shots to cut the lead to 11 points. But Hills-Beaver Creek answered immediately with a 7-0 run that sealed the victory and sparked celebrations in the stands.

The Ripple Effect

This championship means even more for a community already celebrating together. Most of these Patriots also won a football state title in November, creating an unforgettable year for Hills-Beaver Creek athletics.

Head coach Chad Rauk praised his team's championship mentality. "Anytime you go into battle with these guys, you know you're going to get max effort," he said while watching his seniors celebrate in front of a roaring hometown crowd.

The Patriots finished their season 30-3, proving that small schools can compete with anyone when talent meets determination. For Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, the runner-up finish marked the best state tournament result in program history.

This is what happens when a team that refuses to lose gets one more chance to prove it.